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For one group of students, the first day of school wasn't in August or September. It was in January.

On Tuesday, January 22, 1980, 100 children began classes at the Proyecto Educacion school. The school, housed at East Dallas First Christian Church, was one of a kind — established specifically for the children of unauthorized immigrants living in Dallas.

Marcello attended Carivad Nunez's class at Proyecto Educacion.

(1980 File Photo/Geof Payne)

The school met a crucial community need. A 1975 Texas law barred school districts from using state funds to educate children whose parents could not prove either citizenship or legal status, and many schools directly or indirectly banned these children from enrolling in classes. DISD established a policy requiring "Mexican-American children to provide proof of citizenship or legal resident status before they are enrolled in district schools."

These policies, and the ensuing multi-year court battle surrounding them, meant that a large group of Dallas children were stuck in educational limbo. That was when Proyecto Educacion, a group comprised of "about 35 religious and civic organizations" stepped in to do something about it.

Starting a school for children of unauthorized immigrants held unique challenges for organizers. One of the main goals for the group was to gain the trust of legally vulnerable parents. Rene Martinez, one of the committee members, told the News that "he believes many illegal aliens are taking a 'wait-and-see' attitude to find out ... whether their identities will be kept confidential from immigration officials as Proyecto Educacion representatives have been promising."

By the time January arrived, parents were on board. The school had enrolled 115 students, and 130 more children were on the waiting list by February.

Because organizers believed students would be permitted to enroll in DISD the following school year, they focused their efforts on preparing children to succeed in the public school system. Dan More, an educational consultant and teacher, told The News that the school planned to immerse children in the English language, with the goal being "to teach them English until they can speak it well enough to move around a regular classroom."

There was a lot to teach, but the students were enthusiastic. "These kids are very excited and ready to learn," teacher Marti Marks told The News. "They're very, very eager."

Teacher Marti Marks went through the paces with her kindergarten class on the first day of school.

(1980 File Photo/John Rhodes )

By the following school year, children of undocumented parents were indeed allowed to enroll in DISD, and by 1982 the Supreme Court ruled that the law barring them access to public education was unconstitutional.

Closing the school was always part of Proyecto Educacion's plan. As administrator Celeste Guerrero noted: "What we want to do is give these kids a chance at education that some never had before. We want to prepare them for public schools. We don't want to remain open forever."

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